Category: United States

Substance Abuse Treatment Program: How Can I Help My Loved One?

Addiction does not happen in a vacuum. If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction or alcoholism then you know that friends and family are affected by the addiction as well. It can be difficult to watch a loved one fall into the pit of addiction. Especially if you have no idea how to help. Read on to learn of some ways to help your loved one battle addiction. Also, what to expect from a substance abuse treatment program.

Know the Signs

The most important way you can help a loved one is to be educated about addiction. If you know the signs and symptoms then you have a head’s up on what is happening. Too often, families are caught completely unaware of the severity of an addiction when it does come to light and are then too stressed out and worried to effectively help. While each addiction comes with unique signs and symptoms, some are pretty common to all addictions. These include developing problems at work or school, lying about substance use even with evidence to the contrary, becoming angry when asked about addiction, and even changing friend groups. Furthermore, the person may have secretive behaviors, lie, show behavioral changes, and even take part in criminal behaviors. You may also see physical changes such as weight fluctuations, poor hygiene, exhaustion, and memory issues.

You must remember that even if these signs are present or obvious, you may be met with resistance when trying to discuss the issue. Addicts can often deny a problem or become angry, avoiding confrontation. This is normal, but you must not get angry, keep trying. The road to recovery starts with a substance abuse treatment program. 

How to Help

While there are several options for helping someone with an addiction. You must first remember that you can try, but until the addict is ready to change, it is not likely that rehab or recovery will happen. This does not mean you should stop trying. However, you should be realistic in your expectations and not take relapses as a personal failure. As you start this journey with your loved one or continue the journey, try to remember these six things prior to entering a substance abuse treatment program. 

Don’t be an enabler 

While watching someone spiral out of control can be difficult and heartbreaking, you must not enable the behaviors by enabling. The person must still be responsible for themselves, their finances, and daily responsibilities. Allow them to be responsible for themselves, even if it is difficult. You can still love a person without enabling them.

Be compassionate

Make sure you are emphasizing concern and care with an understanding that the person is working on their addiction, if they are. Be willing to attend family therapy and listen when things are shared. Additionally, ask open questions and truly acknowledge what is being said.

Don’t focus on guilt

It can be hard to not blame the addict, but focusing on guilt and shame are counterproductive. Try not to judge.

Encourage health

This does not mean a focus on not using, though this is part of it. Instead, help the person to stay active physically as this will help the body heal and keep the person busy doing something other than using.

Remain positive

Addiction is a long term issue that can destroy a life and the lives around it. Stay hopeful that the addict can get help when they are ready. There is always hope.

Care for yourself

Helping a loved one deal with addiction is exhausting and frustrating at times. Make sure you take care of yourself, take a break when needed, and join a support group to help you through the tough times, while celebrating victories.

Final Thoughts

You cannot force an addict into recovery. There will be times you want to give up and sometimes you may have to remove yourself for your own health. Keep positive and take care of yourself so you can continue to help when ready. 

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

The Importance of Nutrition in Recovery

As the topic of addiction is no longer as taboo as it once was, studies into what types of treatments and changes an addict needs to succeed in recovery are becoming more common. As more information is unveiled, it is becoming obvious that nutrition can play a key part in the success of recovery. This is in part due to the majority of addicts not being concerned about self-care while actively using. Also to help the body repair and rebuild itself. Having a dietician on staff for inpatient rehabs are becoming much more common to help in this area.

What’s Lost while Using

Active addiction effects every part of life. Over time the addict’s mental and physical health deteriorates. Though they may not appear so, by the time most people seek help they are malnourished. This is because drugs and alcohol not only change the appetite, but how the body absorbs food and nutrients. In addition, many will just not be concerned about food or nutrition as they chase the next high instead.

Depending on the type of substance being abused, the addict is more likely to lack particular nutrients. Where opiate users typically have low levels of B6, iron, Vitamin D, and calcium, cocaine abusers tend to be low in omega-3 fatty acids. Alcoholics are usually the most malnourished as magnesium loss due to drinking makes nutrient absorption hard. This form of malnutrition can appear as feebleness, insomnia, and anxiety, while calcium loss can lead to osteoporosis and C and K deficiencies can lead to immune system weakness. On top of all this, an addict’s body can only produce a small amount of dopamine naturally for a time after the drugs are stopped. This can lead to depression and further poor self care. This is also why good nutrition is so important.

What the Body Needs

While not all issues caused by drug use can be reversed, proper nutrition in recovery can go a long way into helping the body repair and cleanse itself. Though a customized diet can help with specific deficiencies, there are general guidelines for those who are battling addiction and trying to get clean.

More protein – Protein allows for damaged neurotransmitters to rebuild.

Less sugar/Fewer processed foods – Sweet treats and foods can lead to unsteady blood glucose. Stabilizing these levels will help with things such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Less processed food will also allow the liver to repair.

Healthy fats/More fiber – Fats are necessary to health. However, these should be good fats for overall health. Adding more fiber through fruits and vegetables will also help the body start to work properly and add much needed vitamins and nutrients.

Less caffeine – Sometimes the hardest for those in recovery, caffeine can throw off the body’s balance and cause anxiety and insomnia so it should be limited or avoided in early recovery.

True Recovery

If you or a loved one are ready for recovery than give DARA call. The inpatient facilities offer the help and support needed. Not just nutritionally, but for total well-being. True recovery is not just about being clean and sober. It is about restoration of mind, body, and soul.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Can Vitamins Cure Anxiety and Depression?

Depression and anxiety are two of the most commonly diagnosed forms of mental illness in the United States. Depression is much more than being sad over a circumstance. It is a long standing, pervasive feeling of doom and gloom that the person cannot shake. Even when life is good. Anxiety falls along the same lines. We all get anxious or scared at some points in life. However, anxiety is much more than occasionally being nervous. Anxiety is a mental disorder in which the sufferer feels anxious at random times throughout the day or week. Those individuals with anxiety may also suffer from panic attacks. Leaving them feeling socially isolated and afraid to enjoy being around others.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety are often comorbid diagnoses. Both disorders are often treated through the use of antidepressants and/or anti-anxiety medications. These were designed to treat chemical imbalances. However, they are used to dull the depression and anxiety. Research has shown promise in treating both anxiety and depression with vitamins. It’s been revealed that vitamins are often lacking or low for those with depression and anxiety.

Vitamins to Cure

If you have chronic depression and anxiety, there may be more than one factor effecting the conditions. Symptoms such as low mood, lethargy, and disinterest in formerly loved activities may be caused by a deficiency in one or more nutrients. This is great news for those who have attended psychotherapy and tried medication with limited success. Simple dietary changes and the addition of deficient nutrients could aid in helping you feel better overall. Limiting depression and anxiety symptoms. This is not to say that dietary changes alone can cure depression. However, they may make a huge difference for some.

Choosing the Right Vitamins

Before you run out to the store to fill your cabinet with supplements, have a doctor check your vitamin levels to see if a deficiency is present. The body will benefit most from the vitamins gained through making healthy eating sources rather than pills. However, if this isn’t possible, over the counter vitamins may help. In general, whether a deficiency exists or not, eating healthy and balanced with few processed foods will help improve your mood and demeanor.

Common Vitamins to Look For

If you are deficient, as determined by a medical exam, then it will be obvious which vitamins need to be added. However for the purpose of this article, the most common will be shared. One of the most likely lacking that will help with anxiety is a calcium, magnesium, and zinc combination. These are found in leafy green vegetables for the most part. Magnesium alone is a natural muscle relaxer. However calcium helps with its absorption.  B-Complex is important for both depression and anxiety as it helps with metabolism, energy, and overall health.

Links Between Vitamin D and Depression

Finally, specific to depression vitamin D is highly important. Vitamin D can be gained by spending time outdoors as it is absorbed through the sunlight. However in those long, cold months, many people suffer from a deficiency. This is why many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you suffer from depression and anxiety then have some basic bloodwork done and alter your diet to see if it helps. There is no harm in getting healthy.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

How Sugar Affects the Brain

It is pretty common knowledge that excess amounts of sugar can have a negative effect on the body. It may not be as commonly known that sugar also affects the brain negatively. Below you will read several of the negative impacts of how sugar affects the brain and how sugar addiction can actually exist.

Negative Impacts

The brain functions at all time. From in utero until the time we die. This takes an amazing amount of energy when compared to the other bodily organs. For humans, glucose, a form of sugar, is the fuel for the brain. Unfortunately for those with a sweet tooth, more is not better for the brain when it comes to sugar. Excess sugar impairs both our self-control and cognitive skills. This is because sugar has a drug like effect on the brain. In fact, this is why it can become addictive in and of itself. It’s also why people in detox often crave sugary, sweet foods.

For those who can’t ‘just say no’ to sugary foods, you are more likely to gain weight, overeat, and lose self-control. This is in part due to sugar activating the reward center of the brain. The stronger the sugar intake, the more reward the body receives. At least it feels that way.

Problems Caused by Excessive Sugar

As mentioned, more is not better when it comes to sugar. Excessive sugar is very harmful to the body. Elevated glucose levels can result in slowed cognitive functioning and memory deficits as well as affect mood. With higher blood sugar, people may not be able to process emotion. In diabetics, increased sadness and anxiety may be felt. Continued high levels of glucose can lead to extended damage over time. Including eye issues, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and even brain damage. We can fight sugar cravings and addictions by using replacement foods that are sweet with natural sugar, like fruit.

Sweets and Addiction

With the number of substances that one can now be addicted to, it seems almost humorous to consider sugar as addictive. However, the link between sweets and addiction is notable. Several studies have found that sugar is just as addictive as drugs like heroin or cocaine. While a hardcore heroin user may disagree as it would be unlikely that a sugar addict ends up homeless and pawning heirlooms for a sugar fix, the chemical reactions in the body are the same. Think about this in relation to children who have a strong sugar addiction. While at three or four it may not seem that important, getting the brain used to that continuous reward response may lead to harsher drugs in the future or in the least health issues.

Seek Help

If you have a sugar addiction or are trying to prevent one in a loved one, consult a doctor or nutritionist to help start curbing and then kicking the habit. It can be self defeating to think all sugar can be taken out of your life, but learning to make small replacements over time can keep you healthy and on track to a long life.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.